The Devastating Toll of Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza
The Devastating Toll of Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza
In the latest wave of violence in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, 59 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli airstrikes or shot dead while seeking aid. The Red Cross reports that its field hospital has seen the largest influx of dead in over a year, with most of the more than 100 injured having gunshot wounds. This tragic escalation has left families and communities torn apart, with innocent civilians paying the ultimate price. The international community has condemned the violence and called for an immediate ceasefire, but the situation remains dire for those living in Gaza.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Red Cross
The Red Cross is the world's largest humanitarian network, dedicated to providing emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education globally and domestically. It operates through three main components: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), National Societies in 191 countries, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The organization’s core mission is to help people suffering due to conflict, natural or man-made disasters, and chronic poverty without discrimination[2]. Founded in the 19th century, the Red Cross has a rich history rooted in humanitarian principles established over 60 years ago by the IFRC. The American Red Cross (ARC), chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1905, exemplifies the organization’s work by responding to over 60,000 disasters annually, including fires, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. It provides shelter, food, health and mental health services, and supports military families. The ARC also supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood, teaches life-saving skills, and participates in international humanitarian efforts such as disaster preparedness and migration crisis response[3][4][8]. In 2025, the IFRC’s Global Plan emphasizes reducing the impact of emergencies related to climate, health, and migration, building community resilience, and ensuring inclusive, respectful aid delivery. This plan reflects a strategic approach combining local action with global coordination to address complex humanitarian challenges[1]. Notably, the Red Cross leverages technology and data to enhance disaster response and preparedness, such as multilingual volunteer databases and emergency apps. The organization continually expands volunteer recruitment to meet rising disaster frequency and scale, with almost 275,000 volunteers across the U.S. alone[6][9][10]. The Red Cross’s key achievements include life-saving disaster relief, international humanitarian aid, blood supply management, and innovative preparedness campaigns like the Home Fire Campaign, which has saved over 2,460 lives since 2014. Its ability t
